Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Accrued Liabilities Accrued expenses and other liabilities Net unrealized loss on cash flow hedging instruments Accumulated other comprehensive income Ending Balance Beginning Balance Additional paid-in capital Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Other Other Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities: Aging analysis by loan class in tabular format. Delinquency aging analysis by loan class Tabular disclosure of financing receivables (examples of financing receivables include loans, trade accounts receivable and notes receivable) and activity in the allowance for credit losses account. Allowance for Loan Losses Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Provision for Loss, Gross Provision for loan losses Charge-offs Charge-offs Alt-A Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] Alt-A residential mortgage backed securities Capital in excess of minimum required net capital Alternative minimum net capital requirement Amendment Flag Antidilutive stock options and restricted stock awards excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS Asset-backed securities Total assets Total assets Assets Available-for-sale Securities Securities available for sale Securities available for sale Securities available for sale Amortized Cost Securities available for sale Amortized Cost Securities available for sale After 5 years through 10 years amortized cost Securities available for sale fair value After 5 years through 10 years Securities available for sale After 1 year through 5 years amortized cost Securities available for sale fair value After 1 year through 5 years Securities available for sale After 10 years amortized cost Securities available for sale fair value After 10 years Securities available for sale Within 1 year amortized cost Securities available for sale fair value Within 1 year Gross realized gains Gross realized losses Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions Number of investment positions with unrealized losses Securities available for sale This item represents the gross unrealized gain on debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Securities available for sale Gross Unrealized Gains This item represents the gross unrealized losses on debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Securities available for sale Gross Unrealized Losses Branch Offices Domestic branch offices Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition, Future Cost to Acquire Entity Business Acquisition, Received Stock Per Share Number of the Company's shares to be received by optionsXpress stockholders for each share of optionsXpress stock Capital Actual Amount Total Risk-Based Capital Capital Required for Capital Adequacy Minimum Capital Requirement Amount Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets Minimum Capital Requirement Ratio Capital Required to be Well Capitalized Minimum to be Well Capitalized Amount Capital Required to be Well Capitalized to Risk Weighted Assets Minimum to be Well Capitalized Ratio Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Actual Ratio Carrying Amount Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and investments segregated and on deposit for regulatory purposes (including resale agreements of $13,973 at March 31, 2011 and $12,697 at December 31, 2010) Cash Flow, Noncash Investing Disclosure [Abstract] Non-cash investing activity: Cash Paid During Period For [Abstract] Cash paid during the period for: Certificates of deposit Collateral Requirements [Member] Collateral Requirements Minimum fair value percentage of collateral to ensure adequate collateralization of the principal amount of personal loans secured by securities. Minimum fair value percentage of collateral to principal amount of loan Commercial paper Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Table] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Table] Commitments and Contingent Liabilities Common stock, par value Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares issued Common stock - 3 billion shares authorized; $.01 par value per share; 1,428,604,522 shares issued Communications Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Line Items] The components of comprehensive income and the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income Comprehensive income Portfolio segment of the company's total financing receivables related to consumer receivables. Personal loans secured by securities Corporate debt securities Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings Balance at end of period Balance at beginning of period Current Fiscal Year End Date Deposits from banking clients Depreciation and amortization Description of Net Capital Requirements under Alternative Method Permitted by Uniform Net Capital Rule Net capital under the alternative method permitted by the Uniform Net Capital Rule Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) Balances [Abstract] Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) Balances [Abstract] Disclosure - Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses, and Fair Value of Securities Available for Sale and Securities Held to Maturity [Abstract] Disclosure - Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses, and Fair Value of Securities Available for Sale and Securities Held to Maturity [Abstract] Disclosure - Changes in the Allowance for Loan Losses [Abstract] Disclosure - Changes in the Allowance for Loan Losses [Abstract] Disclosure - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Components of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Disclosure - Components of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Disclosure - Composition of Loans to Banking Clients [Abstract] Disclosure - Composition of Loans to Banking Clients [Abstract] Disclosure - Credit Quality of Residential Real Estate Mortgages and HELOCs by Reviewing FICO Scores at Origination, Current FICO Scores, Loan-To-Value Ratio [Abstract] Disclosure - Credit Quality of Residential Real Estate Mortgages and HELOCs by Reviewing FICO Scores at Origination, Current FICO Scores, Loan-To-Value Ratio [Abstract] Disclosure - Delinquency Aging Analysis by Loan Class [Abstract] Disclosure - Delinquency Aging Analysis by Loan Class [Abstract] Disclosure - EPS under Basic and Diluted Computations [Abstract] Disclosure - EPS under Basic and Diluted Computations [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value Estimates for Financial Instruments Excluding Short Term Financial Assets and Liabilities and Financial Instruments Recorded at Fair Value [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value Estimates for Financial Instruments Excluding Short Term Financial Assets and Liabilities and Financial Instruments Recorded at Fair Value [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value Hierarchy for Assets Measured at Fair Value [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value Hierarchy for Assets Measured at Fair Value [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial Information for the Company's Reportable Segments [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial Information for the Company's Reportable Segments [Abstract] Disclosure - Introduction and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Introduction and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Loans to Banking Clients and Related Allowance for Loan Losses - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Loans to Banking Clients and Related Allowance for Loan Losses - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Maturities of Securities Available for Sale and Securities Held to Maturity [Abstract] Disclosure - Maturities of Securities Available for Sale and Securities Held to Maturity [Abstract] Disclosure - Proceeds and Gross Realized Gains (Losses) from Sales of Securities Available for Sale [Abstract] Disclosure - Proceeds and Gross Realized Gains (Losses) from Sales of Securities Available for Sale [Abstract] Disclosure - Regulatory Capital and Ratios [Abstract] Disclosure - Regulatory Capital and Ratios [Abstract] Disclosure - Regulatory Requirements - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Regulatory Requirements - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Rollforward Amount of Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings for OTTI Securities Held by Company for Portion of Impairment Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Disclosure - Rollforward Amount of Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings for OTTI Securities Held by Company for Portion of Impairment Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Disclosure - Securities Available for Sale and Securities Held to Maturity - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Securities Available for Sale and Securities Held to Maturity - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Securities with Unrealized Losses, Aggregated by Category and Period of Continuous Unrealized Loss [Abstract] Disclosure - Securities with Unrealized Losses, Aggregated by Category and Period of Continuous Unrealized Loss [Abstract] Document - Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document - Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Period End Date Document Type Basic EPS Earnings Per Share - Basic Earnings Per Share Computation. Earnings Per Share Computation Diluted EPS Earnings Per Share - Diluted Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items] Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items] Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Table] Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Table] Earnings Per Share Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity [Domain] Entity Filer Category Entity Registrant Name Equity And Bond Mutual Funds [Member] Equity and bond mutual funds Equity Component [Domain] Equity US Government And Corporate Debt And Other Securities [Member] Equity, U.S. Government and corporate debt, and other securities Fair Value Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Operating Activities Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis. Fair Value Hierarchy For Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value Table Fair Value, Total Assets Measured on Recurring Basis Total Total Cash equivalents Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Disclosure Items [Axis] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Disclosure Items [Domain] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping, Disclosure Item Amounts [Axis] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value, Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain] Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Investments segregated and on deposit for regulatory purposes This item represents the estimated fair value of financial instruments excluding those carried at fair value. Fair Value Estimates For Financial Instruments, Excluding Short-Term Financial Assets and Liabilities, and Excluding Financial Instruments Recorded At Fair Value Table Fair Value, Option, Eligible Item or Group [Domain] Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures, by Eligible Item or Group [Axis] Asset management and administration fees Financial Assets: Financial Liabilities: Other securities owned Other securities owned - at fair value Represents financing receivable portfolio segments. Financing Receivable Allowance [Member] Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items] Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators Table Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators Table Information by financing receivable portfolio segment. Financing Receivable Information by Portfolio Segment [Axis] Recorded investment in financing receivables by class of financing receivables. Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, by Class of Financing Receivable [Axis] Listing of the classes of financing receivables. Classes of financing receivables generally are a disaggregation of a portfolio segment. Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Class of Financing Receivable [Member] Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items] Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items] Gain (Loss) on Investments, Including Marketable Securities and Investments Held at Cost, Categories of Investments [Domain] Class action litigation reserve Class action litigation reserve Goodwill Securities held to maturity (fair value - $16,681 at March 31, 2011 and $17,848 at December 31, 2010) Securities held to maturity Securities held to maturity Securities held to maturity After 5 years through 10 years Securities held to maturity After 5 years through 10 years amortized cost Securities held to maturity After 1 year through 5 years Securities held to maturity After 1 year through 5 years amortized cost Securities held to maturity After 10 years Securities held to maturity After 10 years amortized cost Securities held to maturity Within 1 year Securities held to maturity Within 1 year amortized cost Securities held to maturity, fair value Securities held to maturity, fair value This item represents the gross unrealized gains for securities which are categorized as held-to-maturity. Such gross unrealized gains are the excess of the fair value of the held-to-maturity securities over their carrying value (amortized cost) as of the reporting date. Securities held to maturity Gross Unrealized Gains This item represents the gross unrealized losses for securities which are categorized as held-to-maturity. Such gross unrealized losses are the excess of the carrying value (amortized cost) of the held-to-maturity securities over their fair value as of the reporting date. Securities held to maturity Gross Unrealized Losses Held-to-maturity, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions Number of investment positions with Unrealized Losses Securities held to maturity Home Equity Lines Of Credit [Member] Home equity lines of credit Income before taxes on income Income before taxes on income Income Statement [Abstract] Income taxes Taxes on income Taxes on income Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities Accrued expenses and other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Brokerage Receivables Receivables from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations The net change during the reporting period in the amount of cash subject to withdrawal restrictions, restricted deposits held as compensating balances, and cash and securities segregated in compliance with regulations (such as cash deposited in a special reserve account for the exclusive benefit of customers pursuant). Cash and investments segregated and on deposit for regulatory purposes Cash and investments segregated and on deposit for regulatory purposes Net change in deposits from banking clients Increase (Decrease) in Financial Instruments Used in Operating Activities Other securities owned Net change in: Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Other assets Increase (Decrease) in Payables to Broker-Dealers Payables to brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations The net change during the reporting period in the amounts payable to customers at the balance sheet date. The term customers generally excludes other broker-dealers; persons who are principal officers, directors, and stockholders; and persons whose securities or funds are part of the regulatory net capital of the broker-dealer. Another broker-dealer's account can be classified as a customer if the account is carried as an omnibus account in compliance with certain regulations. The accounts of principal officers, directors and stockholders may be combined in the customer captions if they are not material and the combination is disclosed in the oath that is required to accompany the annual audited FOCUS Report. Increase (Decrease) in Payables to Customers Payables to brokerage clients The net change during the reporting period in receivables from brokerage clients. Brokerage client balances include margin loans to clients stated net of allowance for doubtful accounts. Receivables from brokerage clients Receivables from brokerage clients Common stock equivalent shares related to stock incentive plans Institutional Services [Member] Institutional Services Interest Expense Interest expense Net interest revenue Net interest revenue Interest revenue Interest Investments classified by contractual maturity date. Maturities of Securities Available For Sale and Securities Held to Maturity Table Investor Services [Member] Investor Services Compensation and benefits Legal Entity [Axis] Insurance proceeds under applicable policies for the settlement of pending or threatened litigation relating to the YieldPlus Fund. Insurance Proceeds Total liabilities Total liabilities Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Class action litigation charges Loan Losses Recorded in Earnings Rollforward Amount Of Loan Losses Recognized In Earnings For OTTI Securities Held by Company for Portion of Impairment Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income Table Loans And Leases Receivable, 30 to 59 Days Past Due 30-59 days past due Loans And Leases Receivable, 60 to 89 Days Past Due 60-89 days past due Loans And Leases Receivable, 90 Days and Greater Greater than 90 days Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance Balance at end of period Balance at beginning of period Allowance for loan losses Loans to banking clients Total loans to banking clients Loans And Leases Receivable, Current Current Total nonaccrual loans Loans accruing interest contractually 90 days or more past due Loans to banking clients - net Total loans to banking clients - net Total nonperforming assets include nonaccrual loans and other real estate owned Nonperforming assets, including nonaccrual loans and other real estate owned Loans And Leases Receivable, Total, Past Due Total past due Total past due Loans to Banking Clients and Related Allowance for Loan Losses Loans held for sale Loan To Deposit Ratio Loan-to-deposit ratio Long-term debt Loss Contingencies by Nature of Contingency [Axis] Loss Contingencies by Type of Case [Axis] Loss Contingencies by Type of Case [Axis] Loss Contingencies by Type of Case [Domain] Loss Contingencies by Type of Case [Domain] Number of class action lawsuits formally filed in a court of law, in arbitration or mediation. Number of class action lawsuits filed Between March 21, 2011 and April 6, 2011 Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Major Types of Securities [Domain] Major Types of Securities [Domain] Margin requirements [Member] Margin Requirements Advertising and market development Minimum Fair Issac & Company credit score required of a borrower at the time a loan is originated to be considered "Prime". Pertains to the non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities collateralized by loans that are considered to be "Prime". Fair Isaac & Company minimum credit score for Prime loan origination Minimum Percentage Of Aggregate Debit Balances Minimum percentage of aggregate debit balances arising from client transactions or a minimum dollar Alleged minimum percentage of fund assets invested in CMOs and mortgage-backed securities without obtaining shareholder vote Alleged minimum percentage of fund assets invested in CMOs and mortgage-backed securities without obtaining shareholder vote Money market funds Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed securities Amount of home equity line of credit in a first lien position Net capital Net capital in excess of 5% of aggregate debit balances Net cash provided by financing activities Net cash provided by financing activities Cash Flows from Financing Activities Net cash used for investing activities Net cash used for investing activities Cash Flows from Investing Activities Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities Cash Flows from Operating Activities Net income Net Income Net income available to common stockholders Net other-than-temporary-impairments (credit related losses) recognized in earnings. Net impairment losses on securities Net impairment losses on securities Unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities that are not related to other than temporary impairments. Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale Portion of unrealized gain (loss) on Non-OTTI securities Unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities that are related to other than temporary impairments. Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale Portion of unrealized loss on OTTI securities Non-cash investing activity, where securities purchased during the year but settled after year end. Securities purchased during the period but settled after period end Total expenses excluding interest Total expenses excluding interest Expenses Excluding Interest Noninterest Expense [Abstract] Expenses Excluding Interest Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] Occupancy and equipment optionsXpress Holdings, Inc [Member] optionsXpress Holdings, Inc. optionsXpress Merger Litigation [Member] optionsXpress Merger Litigation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Table] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Table] Introduction and Basis of Presentation Origination FICO Score 620 Through 679 [Member] Origination FICO Score 620 Through 679 Origination FICO Score 680 Through 739 [Member] Origination FICO Score 680 Through 739 Origination FICO Score 740 And Above [Member] Origination FICO Score 740 And Above Origination FICO Score Below 620 [Member] Origination FICO Score Below 620 Origination in 2007 [Member] Year of origination 2007 Origination in 2008 [Member] Year of origination 2008 Origination in 2009 [Member] Year of origination 2009 Origination in 2010 [Member] Year of origination 2010 Origination in 2011 [Member] Year of origination 2011 Origination Loan To Value Ratio 70 Percent And Below [Member] Origination Loan To Value Ratio 70 Percent And Below Origination Loan to Value Ratio 71 Percent Through 89 Percent [Member] Origination Loan to Value Ratio 71 Percent Through 89 Percent Origination Loan to Value Ratio 90 Percent And Above [Member] Origination Loan to Value Ratio 90 Percent And Above Origination Pre 2007 [Member] Year of origination Pre 2007 Other assets Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale: Income tax effect Total other comprehensive income Total other comprehensive income Other comprehensive income: The adjustment out of other comprehensive income, after tax. Other net changes Reclassification of OTTI charges included in earnings Reclassification of OTTI charges included in earnings Net unrealized gain Other Expenses Other Other Income Other Other Receivables [Member] Other The amount of other than temporary impairment (OTTI) loss on a debt security, categorized as Available-for-sale, related to factors other than credit losses when the entity does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. This amount, which includes the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest, if any, is a portion of the deduction from the total impairment losses of investments (before taxes) presented on the income statement; this amount is also referred to as the amount incurred by the reporting entity or the consolidated entity. Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income Total other-than-temporary-impairments on debt securities, which is based on current fair values, as well as the noncredit portion of that loss, which is the amount of impairment loss the Company does not expect to realize. Total other-than-temporary impairment losses Other Than Temporary Impairments Credit Losses on Previously Impaired Securities Credit losses recognized into current period earnings on debt securities for which an other-than-temporary impairment was previously recognized Other Than Temporary Impairments Credit Losses on Securities Not Previously Impaired Credit losses recognized into current period earnings on debt securities for which an other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized Payables to Broker-Dealers and Clearing Organizations Payables to brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations Payables to Customers Payables to brokerage clients Originations of loans held for sale Originations of loans held for sale Net increase in loans to banking clients Net increase in loans to banking clients Other investing activities Other investing activities Dividends paid Dividends paid Purchases of securities available for sale Purchases of securities available for sale Purchases of securities held to maturity Purchases of securities held to maturity Purchase of equipment, office facilities, and property Purchase of equipment, office facilities, and property Percentage of net capital to aggregate debit balances required for a broker-dealer to repay subordinated borrowings, pay cash dividends, or make any unsecured advances or loans to its parent company or employees. Percentage of net capital to aggregate debit balances required for a broker-dealer to repay subordinated borrowings, pay cash dividends, or make any unsecured advances or loans to its parent company or employees Percentage of net capital to the Company's minimum dollar requirement required for a broker-dealer to repay subordinated borrowings, pay cash dividends, or make any unsecured advances or loans to its parent company or employees. Percentage of net capital to the Company's minimum dollar requirement required for a broker-dealer to repay subordinated borrowings, pay cash dividends, or make any unsecured advances or loans to its parent company or employees Percentage of net capital to aggregate debit balances Percentage of net capital to aggregate debit balances Preferred stock, par value Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred stock, issued Preferred stock - 9,940,000 shares authorized; $.01 par value per share; none issued Disclosure of proceeds and gross realized gains and losses from the sale of securities available for sale Proceeds and Gross Realized Gains (Losses) from Sales of Securities Available for Sale Table Net proceeds from common stock offering Principal payments on securities available for sale Principal payments on securities held to maturity Other financing activities Proceeds Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale Proceeds from short-term borrowings Proceeds from stock options exercised and other Professional services Equipment, office facilities, and property - net Provision for Loan and Lease Losses Provision for loan losses Provision for loan losses Provision for loan losses Provision for loan losses Includes margin loans to clients stated net of allowance for doubtful accounts. Receivables from brokerage clients - net Receivables from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations Reclassification adjustment for other-than-temporary-impairment securities to net unrealized gains or losses. Reclassification of OTTI securities Regulatory Requirements Repayment of long-term debt Repayment of long-term debt Residential Real Estate Mortgage Loans [Member] Residential real estate mortgages Residential Real Estate Originated First Mortgages Financing Receivable [Member] Residential real estate mortgages, originated first mortgages Residential Real Estate Purchased First Mortgages Financing Receivable [Member] Residential real estate mortgages, purchased first mortgages Retained earnings Total net revenues Total net revenues Net Revenues Net Revenues: Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table] Tabular disclosure of the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Disclosure Schedule of Available for sale and Held to Maturity Securities, Major Types of Securities [Axis] Schedule of Available for sale and Held to Maturity Securities, Major Types of Securities [Axis] Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Table] Schedule of Compliance with Regulatory Capital Requirements under Banking Regulations [Table] Regulatory Capital and Ratios Table Tabular disclosure of components of comprehensive income (loss) including, but not limited to: (a) foreign currency translation adjustments; (b) gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions that are designated as, and are effective as, economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity; (c) gains (losses) on intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting enterprise's financial statements; (d) change in the market value of a futures contract that qualifies as a hedge of an asset reported at fair value; (e) unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and that resulting from transfers of debt securities from the held-to-maturity category to the available-for-sale category; (f) a net loss recognized as an additional pension liability not yet recognized as net periodic pension cost; and (g) the net gain (loss) and net prior service cost or credit for pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans. Comprehensive Income Table Schedule detailing information related to financing receivables and activity in the allowance for credit losses account by portfolio segment. A portfolio segment is a level at which an entity develops and documents a systematic methodology to determine its allowance for credit losses. Schedule of Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Table] Schedule detailing credit quality information related to financing receivables by credit quality indicator and by class of financing receivable. Schedule of Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Credit Quality Indicator [Table] Schedule detailing the recorded investment in financing receivables that are past due but not impaired and financing receivables that are 90 days past due and still accruing. The schedule also includes financing receivables on nonaccrual status. Schedule of Financing Receivables Past Due [Table] Schedule of Gain (Loss) on Investments, Including Marketable Securities and Investments Held at Cost, Income Statement, Reported Amounts, Summary [Line Items] Schedule of Gain (Loss) on Investments, Including Marketable Securities and Investments Held at Cost, Income Statement, Reported Amounts [Table] Schedule of Gain (Loss) on Investments, Including Marketable Securities and Investments Held at Cost, Reported Amounts, by Category [Axis] Disclosure of the composition of the loan portfolio and the allowance for loan losses. Composition of Loans to Banking Clients by Loan Segment Table New Accounting Standards Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Financial Information for Reportable Segments Table Schwab Funds Money Market Funds [Member] Schwab Funds money market funds This item represents the entire disclosure related to Available-for-sale and Held to Maturity Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities not classified as trading. Held to Maturity Securities are investments in certain debt and equity securities for which the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. Securities Available for Sale and Securities Held to Maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Aggregate Loss Securities Less than 12 months Unrealized Losses This item represents the fair value of securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months. Securities Less than 12 months Fair Value Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Aggregate Loss Securities 12 months or longer Unrealized Losses This item represents the fair value of securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer. Securities 12 months or longer Fair Value Cash and investments segregated and on deposit for regulatory purposes, resale agreements This item represents the total fair value of securities in an unrealized loss position. Total securities with unrealized losses Total Fair Value Total securities with unrealized losses Total Fair Value Securities with Unrealized Losses Total Unrealized Loss Total securities with unrealized losses Total Unrealized Losses Total securities with unrealized losses Total Unrealized Losses Segment, Business [Domain] Segment Information Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Stock-based compensation Short-term borrowings State and Municipal Debt Obligations [Member] State and municipal debt obligations Statement, Business Segments [Axis] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Statement [Line Items] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement [Table] Number of states with Schwab domestic branch offices States with domestic branch offices Total stockholders' equity Total stockholders' equity Stockholders' equity: Supplemental Cash Flow Information Tangible Capital Actual Amount Tangible Equity Tangible Capital Required for Capital Adequacy Minimum Capital Requirement Amount Tangible Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Tangible Assets Minimum Capital Requirement Ratio Tangible Capital to Tangible Assets Actual Ratio Tier One Leverage Capital Actual Amount Tier 1 Core Capital Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy Minimum Capital Requirement Amount Tier One Leverage Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Average Assets Minimum Capital Requirement Ratio Tier One Leverage Capital Required to be Well Capitalized Minimum to be Well Capitalized Amount Tier One Leverage Capital Required to be Well Capitalized to Average Assets Minimum to be Well Capitalized Ratio Tier One Leverage Capital to Average Assets Actual Ratio Tier One Risk Based Capital Actual Amount Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Tier One Risk Based Capital Required for Capital Adequacy Minimum Capital Requirement Amount Tier One Risk Based Capital Required for Capital Adequacy to Risk Weighted Assets Minimum Capital Requirement Ratio Tier One Risk Based Capital Required to be Well Capitalized Minimum to be Well Capitalized Amount Tier One Risk Based Capital Required to be Well Capitalized to Risk Weighted Assets Minimum to be Well Capitalized Ratio Tier One Risk Based Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Actual Ratio Total Bond Market Fund Litigation [Member] Total Bond Market Fund Litigation Trading revenue Trading Symbol Treasury stock, shares Treasury stock, at cost - 222,879,855 shares at March 31, 2011 and 226,222,313 shares at December 31, 2010 Treasury stock, at cost - 222,879,855 shares at March 31, 2011 and 226,222,313 shares at December 31, 2010 2% of aggregate debits under the alternative method Unallocated [Member] Unallocated Unrealized gains and losses on investments. Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains And Losses, And Fair Value Of Securities Available For Sale And Securities Held To Maturity Table Unrealized Loss Position Investments Securities with Unrealized Losses, Aggregated By Category and Period of Continuous Unrealized Loss Table The aggregate face amount of unsecured standby letter of credit agreements. Aggregate face amount of letter of credit agreements Updated FICO Score 620 Through 679 [Member] Updated FICO Score 620 Through 679 Updated FICO Score 680 Through 739 [Member] Updated FICO Score 680 Through 739 Updated FICO Score 740 And Above [Member] Updated FICO Score 740 And Above Updated FICO Score Below 620 [Member] Updated FICO Score Below 620 U.S. agency notes U.S. Government securities US State District Court 1 [Member] Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware US State District Court [Member] Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois Recoveries Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic YieldPlus Fund Litigation [Member] YieldPlus Fund Litigation